Adding a file to Blu Studio 5e?

[dirty_fingernails]

Blu Studio 5e
Android version 4.2.2 jellybean
phone not activated

As determined on a separate topic, this phone does not support OTG. I am tentatively planing to dive under the hood to add a file to the (unactivated) phone.

I have already removed the internal storage micro SD and viewed its contents on a Windows 10 machine. Among the folders I explored are: android_secure, DCIM, and movies>tb. This convinces me that the SD functions is a reasonably similar fashion as the HDD on a PC. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I want to know if I can copy a movie to the phone from my Windows 10 machine. It seems that there are two options to do this:
use a data transfer cable to pair the phone with the Windows 10 machine
insert the SD in the Windows machine and copy it there
Please let me know if either will yield positive results.

The potential gotcha I foresee is OS related. Android is based on linux. My small understanding of linux is that performing a manual copy may fail to create links or simlinks necessary for the OS to navigate a path the the movie file.
Please point out any incorrect understanding in this regard.

If the experts here can point me the right direction on this, I will start a new thread about creating an offline backup (on the Windows machine) for safety purposes.

Thank you in advance for your replies,
dirty_fingernails

 

[BergerKing]

I'd add the movie to the media card. File size will occupy your internal storage rather rapidly, and I know a number of folks that use their SD card for precisely this reason.

 

[dirty_fingernails]

Thanks BegerKing for the rapid reply.

I assume that you mean the 32GB internal SD media card... via data transfer cable from the Windows machine, or inserting the SD in the Windows machine. OTG transfer is not supported by the phone. If so, in order for VLC media player to access it the file should be copied to the Movies directory --- right?

Do I need to research the file types accepted by Android, or will VLC take care of that for me?

Thanks in advance rot your reply

 

[B. Diddy]

What do you mean by "internal SD media card"? Are you talking about a physical microSD card that you can remove and insert into a slot? Or are you talking about part of the onboard internal storage that has been partitioned into an app installation area and an "internal SD" area that acts like an SD but is not removable? See this guide for more info on this older method of storage: [GUIDE] Android Storage Memory and How to Deal with Insufficient Storage Warnings - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

In general, if you're using a physical microSD card, then do the following:

1. If it's still in the phone, go to Settings>Storage and Unmount the card.
2. Remove the card and insert it into your PC.
3. Use Windows File Explorer to create a directory on the card called /Movies.
4. Copy the movie file from the PC's hard drive to the /Movies directory.
5. Put the card back into the phone.
6. Most media players should be able to access data on the SD card -- see if the movie shows up automatically.

 

[BergerKing]

Typically, it's easier to load files to the SD card directly from your computer, a simple drag and drop operation, that's what most of the users I know use to do it. As for the formats, I'm not finding information on that model's format capabilities, but phones as far back as 2012 were capable of Mp4, and probably newer formats.

Features:MP3/AAC/WMA/WAV/Flac player | DivX/XviD/MP4/H.264/WMV player | Document viewer | Photo viewer/editor | Voice memo/dial/commands.

Found it, and added the info for you.

 

[dirty_fingernails]

BergerKing,
Thanks for all the iformation and links.

What do you mean by "internal SD media card"? Are you talking about a physical microSD card that you can remove and insert into a slot?

a physical card

Use Windows File Explorer to create a directory on the card called /Movies.

The SD card already has a Movies directory with a subdirectory named tb. Do I use one of these or a separate directory (/Movies as you explained)?

I'm not finding information on that model's format capabilities

Using this as a guide https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/media/media-formats it looks like my existing file will work.

dirty_fingernails

 

[dirty_fingernails]

EDIT:

B.Diddy,
Thanks for the reply.

What do you mean by "internal SD media card"? Are you talking about a physical microSD card that you can remove and insert into a slot? Or are you talking about part of the onboard internal storage that has been partitioned into an app installation area and an "internal SD" area that acts like an SD but is not removable? See this guide for more info on this older method of storage: [GUIDE] Android Storage Memory and How to Deal with Insufficient Storage Warnings - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

In general, if you're using a physical microSD card, then do the following:

1. If it's still in the phone, go to Settings>Storage and Unmount the card.
2. Remove the card and insert it into your PC.
3. Use Windows File Explorer to create a directory on the card called /Movies.
4. Copy the movie file from the PC's hard drive to the /Movies directory.
5. Put the card back into the phone.
6. Most media players should be able to access data on the SD card -- see if the movie shows up automatically.

I mean a physical SD card. The SD card already has a Movies directory with a subdirectory named tb. I assume you mean use the existing Movies directory ... right?

dirty_fingernails

 

[dirty_fingernails]

EDIT: correction of form

BergerKing,

Thanks for the reply.

Typically, it's easier to load files to the SD card directly from your computer, a simple drag and drop operation, that's what most of the users I know use to do it. As for the formats, I'm not finding information on that model's format capabilities, but phones as far back as 2012 were capable of Mp4, and probably newer formats.

Features:MP3/AAC/WMA/WAV/Flac player | DivX/XviD/MP4/H.264/WMV player | Document viewer | Photo viewer/editor | Voice memo/dial/commands.

Found it, and added the info for you.

Using this https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/media/media-formats as a guide, I believe I have a compatible file extension.

Dirty_fingernails

 

[B. Diddy]

I assume you mean use the existing Movies directory ... right?

Yes, correct. Even if you're not sure about the video format compatibility, it shouldn't be too hard to copy the file to the SD and test it on the phone.

 

[dirty_fingernails]

I have encountered a problem. When attempting to copy a file to the Movies directory, I receive a message notifying me that the directory is read only. I have attempted to allow access via the Windows machine unsuccessfully. When I have time, I will drill down deeper in the settings app on the phone to see if I have missed something. If that doesn't work, I assume that I will have to root the phone. That would require some more research on my part and probably some more help from you fine folks at this forum.

I don't believe in luck; so wish me success.

dirty_fingernails

 

[B. Diddy]

That can happen if the card is faulty or corrupt. Can you try a different card?

 

[dirty_fingernails]

That can happen if the card is faulty or corrupt. Can you try a different card?

This is the same card that works on the phone. I can navigate it and read everything that I have attempted to read using the Windows machine.
The only other micro SD I have is 256GB. I doubt very seriously that the phone can access a drive that large.

 

[B. Diddy]

32 GB cards are supercheap these days, so it might be worth ordering another one to test it out. Just make sure it's from a well-known brand (like Sandisk or Samsung) from a well-known retailer -- don't order from 3rd party sellers, since the risk for counterfeit cards is higher that way.

 

[dirty_fingernails]

I have been considering making an offline backup of the phone on physical media. I suppose I could use a 32GB card for that and get another one for a spare for whatever use I may need.

dirty_fingernails

 

[dirty_fingernails]

Maybe my google skills are not as good as they should be. I am not finding a method to back up this phone locally. Everything I have found saves to cloud services. My wish is to save a backup straight to a directory. What am I missing?

dirty_fingernails

 

[B. Diddy]

I don't think there are any good comprehensive backup utilities for Android that backup to SD. This guide might be helpful: https://forums.androidcentral.com/a...s/499341-guide-backing-up-android-device.html

 

[dirty_fingernails]

Thanks, B. Diddy,

That looks like what I was looking for. I'll check it out more closely and try it on one of the 32GB SD's I purchased today at a local geek's toy store. I would mention the name, but I'm sure that is considered advertising on the forum.

dirty_fingernails

 

[dirty_fingernails]

B. Diddy,

FYI: The twrp link on the linked post you gave me may be broken. The page will not load. It times out on Firefox (on Windows machine). I only mention this as an update in the event someone wishes to update the post.

Meanwhile, I have a busy week ahead and about a dozen websites to sift through in preparation for the task ahead. Therefore, I may be M.I.A. in this thread for a few days.

May I message you? There is one website that generated a "warning potential security risk ahead" warning on Firefox. I believe it would better to have someone vet the site without posting it publicly. I will send it in plain text form rather than a hyperlink for security purposes.

dirty_fingernails

 

[B. Diddy]

Sure, go ahead and PM me.

Re: the broken TWRP link, I'll let the guide author Rukbat know and see if he can correct the link.

 

[dirty_fingernails]

B. Diddy,

Thanks for passing on the broken link report. You have probably received the PM about the website.

Now for an update:
... baby steps ...
I have managed to create an offline backup.

1. unmount SD in phone
   
2. insert empty SD and mount it
   
3. use backup app in phone to backup
   
4. unmount backup SD
   
5. install and mount the phone's SD
   
6. move on with life

I installed Total Commander. This is much better than the native file manager.

There is more to come as time permits.

dirty_fingernails